Spades glossary
What Is Board in Spades?
Board is the minimum contract a team can play. At Spades Night a team whose combined bid is under 4 is raised to 4 automatically, which players call going board. It doesn't apply when both partners bid nil. Other tables use different minimums.
Board is the minimum team contract in spades. A team that bids low gets pushed up to it, which players call "going board". It stops teams from sandbagging with tiny bids, and it keeps every hand worth fighting over. The full bidding rules are on the spades rules page.
How it works
At Spades Night the board is 4 books. When bids are revealed:
- Add the two partners' number bids.
- If the total is under 4, the team contract becomes 4.
- A nil bid adds nothing to the total, so the other partner carries the board alone.
- If both partners bid nil, there is no contract and board doesn't apply.
The scoreboard shows the raised contract, and you're scored on it: make 4 and you get 40, fall short and you're set for 40.
Example
You look at 3♥ 7♣ 9♦ and a pile of low cards, and bid 1. Your partner bids 2. Team total: 3, so the team goes board and plays for 4.
Another hand: your partner bids nil, and you bid 2. Your contract is raised to 4, and you need all four books on your own while also covering your partner's nil. That's a hard job. If your hand is weak, a board contract next to a partner's nil is a good reason to bid higher up front and plan for it.
How Spades Night handles it
- Board is on by default, minimum 4 per team.
- Raised automatically when bids flip. Nobody has to call it.
- Not applied when both partners bid nil (double nil).
- It can be switched off at a private table, which lets a team play a 2 or 3 contract.
Variations at other tables
- Different minimum. Some tables set the team minimum at another number, or only require each player to bid at least 1.
- No board. Plenty of tables don't use it; any bid of 1 or more stands.
Related terms
- Set: what happens when a board contract falls short.
- Nil: the one bid that doesn't count toward the total.
- Double nil: the case where board doesn't apply.
- Bags: the thing board keeps teams from farming with low bids.
Questions people ask
What does going board mean in spades?
Going board means playing the minimum team contract. At Spades Night that minimum is 4: if you and your partner bid 1 and 2, your team plays for 4 books.
What is the minimum bid in spades?
Each player must bid at least 1 or go nil. With board rules, the team total is raised to 4 if it comes in lower. Some tables play without board.
Does board apply when my partner bids nil?
Yes, if only one partner goes nil. The other partner's bid becomes the team contract and is raised to 4 if lower. Board only switches off when both partners bid nil.